Daily Links Jun 6

Carbon dioxide set an all-time monthly high in May
It’s official: carbon dioxide set an all-time monthly record. A sobering reminder that humans are pushing the climate into a state unseen in millions of …
http://reneweconomy.com.au/carbon-dioxide-set-time-monthly-high-may-51345/

UN official warns of costly effects of climate-change.
Failure in the battle to restrain global climate change will entail more costly and devastating impact than any effort to transition off fossil fuels, the head of United Nations Environment Programme warned Sunday.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838842946

John Oliver on the Paris climate deal: ‘Trump may have done us a tiny favor’
On Last Week Tonight, the host mocked the president for his decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/jun/05/john-oliver-last-week-tonight-trump-paris-climate-deal

Making ignorance great again.
Paul Krugman New York Times
Climate is a casualty in the war on truth
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838842952

Trump’s climate loss is a huge gain for China.
Yuan Xu Globe and Mail
Mr. Trump has provided a historic opportunity to China by pulling the largest economy and most important global leader out of the Paris agreement. I believe China will not waste the Trump opportunity.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838842949

Bid to rein in carbon Trumped again
Peter Boyer
Peter Boyer rages at the continued stop-go failure to tackle spiralling greenhouse gas.
http://www.themercury.com.au/news/opinion/global-bid-to-rein-in-carbon-trumped-again/news-story/6eae0a30ef0c5b58c2b088ceeca4a0c1

Trump Sinks, So Women Must Lead The Fight To Tackle Climate Change
Michelle Higelin
Women are disproportionately affected by climate change, which is why they must take the lead role in fighting it
https://newmatilda.com/2017/06/05/trump-sinks-women-must-lead-fight-tackle-climate-change/

The Republican party – not Trump – is the biggest obstacle to climate action
Naomi Oreskes
Republicans have been resisting action on climate change for just about as long as scientists have been asking the world to do something about it
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/05/republican-party-climate-change-policies-donald-trump

First Long-Term Study of Murray-Darling Basin Wetlands Reveals Severe Impact of Dams
A landmark 30-year-long study of wetlands in eastern Australia has found that construction of dams and diversion of water …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170605101006.htm

All-clear sought for fish
THREE previously untested native fish species will be put through their paces against the carp herpes virus.
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/carp-virus-three-more-native-species-to-be-tested-against-herpes/news-story/be92785ca7a46e0cbdd5a5ef773c2c7d

ALP warms to Turnbull energy plan
Labor could back the Coalition’s compromise Low Emissions Target and put an end the decade-old policy war on climate change.
http://www.afr.com/news/politics/let-there-be-light-bill-shorten-hints-at-end-to-climate-wars-20170604-gwkcar

Soaring gas price raises LET doubts
http://www.afr.com/business/energy/gas/soaring-gas-price-undermines-aims-behind-santoss-let-plan-20170605-gwknia

Gas explorers respond to PM demands
East coast producers have stepped up gas exploration while petroleum drilling is at the lowest level in a decade.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/gas-explorers-respond-to-malcolm-turnbulls-demands/news-story/41389368c4adc27093a90ee5f333f3b0

Miners attack Finkel’s clean coal snub
The mining industry has hit out at the Finkel review’s expected recommendation of a low-emissions target.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/miners-attack-finkel-reviews-lowemissions-target/news-story/971dda15a40ed7d30035e0db99f01627

BCA onboard for energy target
Business Council of Australia chief Jennifer Westacott has backed a low emissions target.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/business-council-backing-for-low-emissions-target/news-story/9cd6dffaa5fbc5c9473c49abbd37fe67

Frydenberg hits phones to keep colleagues in line over climate
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/josh-frydenberg-hits-the-phones-to-keep-government-mps-in-line-over-climate-paris-deal-20170605-gwkm4e.html

Power prices will soar if energy policy doesn’t change, Frydenberg warns
Energy minister delivers warning to party conservatives and resources sector ahead of Finkel review, which is expected to recommend implementing a low emissions target
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/05/power-prices-will-soar-if-energy-policy-doesnt-change-frydenberg-warns

Electric car market won’t spark without subsidy, says Nissan boss
http://www.theage.com.au/business/electric-car-market-wont-spark-without-subsidies-to-reduce-emissions-encourage-consumers-says-nissan-chairman-20170605-gwkkyx.html

ABS environment statistics showcase our sunburnt country
Just as Dorothea Mackellar showcased the natural beauty and scale of the Australian climate and landscape in her famous poem, My Country, the ABS is showcasing a range of its environment statistics on United Nations’ World Environment Day on 5 June, celebrating “connecting people to nature.”
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/mediareleasesbyCatalogue/E8A2896D689127FDCA2581330015E875?OpenDocument

KBAs in danger: the state of Australia’s key biodiversity areas in 2017
BirdLife Australia
http://apo.org.au/node/92866

PM’s chance to fix energy mess
Nick Cater
For the first time in 50 years we have a shortage of active generation capacity.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/nick-cater/finkel-report-is-pms-chance-to-fix-this-energy-mess/news-story/36149c8b8241ddc551af510a541982ad

Which dunce led us to impasse?
Judith Sloan
Old and renewable power-generating technology must go hand-in-hand.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/judith-sloan/which-dunce-led-us-to-this-power-impasse/news-story/3ca29b726681c5f94ac38d503e1f7eef

Finkel’s fine line through Australia’s testy power politics
Giles Parkinson
Reports delivered by three major Australian institutions on Friday highlighted that wind and solar provide cheapest avenue to decarbonise the grid. But none of the AEMC, CCA or CSIRO could bring themselves to say so. Finkel’s challenge will be to cut through this nonsense.
http://reneweconomy.com.au/finkels-fine-line-australias-testy-power-politics-61951/

Energy sanity blowing in the wind
Terry McCrann
ANYONE claiming wind and solar plants are going to erupt across the Australian landscape has a pretty big difficulty with the most basic and simplest arithmetic
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/business/terry-mccrann/energy-sanity-blowingin-the-wind/news-story/cd645c26adf8d5622c19f451b564836b

Turnbull’s carbon capture plan has one big problem
Andrew P Street
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/malcolm-turnbulls-carbon-capture-plan-has-one-big-problem-20170605-gwkfiv.html

Clover Moore’s WestConnex alternative
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/clover-moore-reveals-city-of-sydneys-radical-proposal-to-overhaul-westconnex-20170605-gwkrxc.html

New NSW environmental laws: Blueprints for destruction
Sue Arnold
“Modernising and integrating” are code words for allowing more development … and ensuring … the legislation prohibits legal challenges.’
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/new-environment-laws-blueprints-for-destruction-with-little-recourse,10363

Adani sets up shop ahead of mine start
ADANI will open its office in Townsville amid speculation its board is poised to announce the go-ahead of the $US5 billion first stage of its megamine, subject to finance.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/adani-opens-new-townsville-office/news-story/70381dea118660a1236e07b420c8708d

Black lung victim sues for $2m
A FORMER coal miner who has been diagnosed with black lung disease is suing a group of Queensland mining companies for two million dollars.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-black-lung-victim-sues-group-of-mining-companies/news-story/8e875fa2e94aec74cc08b552d8e4bea1

Dormant power plant gets new life
THE State Government will bring a dormant power plant in southeast Queensland back online in an effort to bring down energy prices.
http://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/queensland-government-dusts-off-dormant-gas-power-plant/news-story/59027e0ab99ea31ea02eede79c29212a

Queensland Government goes to war with itself
In what could be a storyline from the satirical TV series Yes Minister, one Queensland Government department is in a legal stoush with another department over a plan to mine a river on state-owned land.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-05/qld-government-departments-in-battle-over-plan-to-mine-river/8583040

Brisbane Airport signs $25m bus contract ahead of proposed monorail
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/aviation/brisbane-airport-signs-25m-bus-contract-ahead-of-proposed-monorail-20170605-gwkwk2.html

A challenge to green Left politicians
Renee Viellaris
TURN off your lights right now, because unless you are fully self-sufficient via solar and battery power, it is thermal coal that is keeping your lights and heat on this winter.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/adani-coal-mine-green-left-politicians-hypocritical/news-story/a98b44593d0ea93ab7fcf59d5d71864e

Ratepayers’ money earmarked for ad campaign to thwart TasWater buyout plan
Tasmanian councils will spend tens of thousands of dollars of ratepayer funds to give the public “the true facts” on the Government’s plan to take over TasWater.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-06/ratepayer-monies-set-to-be-spent-on-anti-taswater-buyout-ads/8591244

Rock art vandals need to grow up
NT News editorial
THE senseless desecration of ancient indigenous rock art near Gunbalanya in Arnhem Land is a mindless act that leaves us questioning why?
http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/opinion/rock-art-vandals-need-to-grow-up/news-story/303eb1ca3bae46c7d6dfb037d623b24f

Wasted green power tests China’s energy leadership.
China’s scramble to curb pollution has made it the world leader in renewable energy development, yet increasing amounts of that green electricity have gone unused as the country struggles to integrate wind and solar power into an outdated electricity network dominated by coal.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/18530169838843440

Air pollution fears see demand for diesel cars in UK fall by fifth
Diesel sales in May are down 20% with industry insiders blaming lack of government clarity for consumer uncertainty
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/05/air-pollution-fears-demand-diesel-cars-fall-fifth

Solar lamps light up more African nights.
Solar lamps are tackling poverty, ill-health and natural hazards in Africa, thanks to Chinese industry and a UK-based charity.
http://www.dailyclimate.org/t/2460133000468972381

Metal-Ion Catalysts and Hydrogen Peroxide Could Green Up Plastics Production
Researchers are contributing to the development of more environmentally friendly catalysts for the production of plastic and …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170605124105.htm

Splitting Carbon Dioxide Using Low-Cost Catalyst Materials
A promising avenue for the future of clean energy is to store it in the form of carbon-based fuels produced from renewable sources, effectively enabling the clean use of …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170605110809.htm

Environmental studies don’t support Trump’s ‘cleanest’ claim.
President Donald Trump said the United States “will continue to be the cleanest and most environmentally friendly country on Earth” as he announced a U.S. pullout from an international accord designed to curb climate change.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838842948

Carbon farming & cutting food waste: Climate solutions that don’t require Trump’s buy-in.
Paul Hawken, the editor of a new book, ‘Drawdown,’ has found that changing the way we grow and eat food has surprising potential to reverse climate change.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838842951

A ‘greener’ office actually improves how well you work
Libby Sander
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/comment/a-greener-office-actually-improves-how-well-you-work-20170602-gwja03.html

We can’t recycle our way to ‘zero waste’
Jenni Downes, University of Technology Sydney
In the rush to increase recycling, we should remember that reducing waste in the first place is a much a higher priority.
http://theconversation.com/we-cant-recycle-our-way-to-zero-waste-78598

Your caffeine habit may be harming waterways, wildlife.
Recent testing has found low levels of caffeine, even in relatively remote waterways around the West. Studies show it may be harmful to some wildlife species.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468972371

Fewer than 30 vaquita porpoises remain on the planet. Is it too late to save them?
The small porpoise that swims off the coast of Baja California may be the loneliest creature in the sea.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838844229

Americans own 640m acres of national land – but will we lose it?
For over 100 years, a small minority have battled the very idea of national land. As efforts are renewed, all Americans must face the fight.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838844230

Deforestation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest increased almost 60 percent in the last year.
More than 29,000 hectares have been lost, a new report says
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838843442

Could Acidifying Oceans Slow Down Coral Disease?
Black band disease is less deadly to mountainous star coral (Orbicella faveolata) as water acidified, or decreased in pH, a new study …
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/06/170605133736.htm

Fixing the role of nitrogen in coral bleaching
Excess nitrogen is shown to disrupt coral-algae symbiosis, triggering bleaching even in the absence of heat and light stress.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/kauo-ftr060517.php

Putting the local in marine conservation.
A new proposal for a code of conduct considers marine protection and the needs of people
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838843441

Humans are ushering in the sixth mass extinction of life on earth, scientists warn.
Extinction rates for birds, mammals and amphibians are similar to the five global mass-extinction events of the past 500 million years that probably resulted from meteorite impacts, massive volcanism and other cataclysmic forces.
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/18530169838844233

International science team: Marine reserves can help mitigate climate change
An international team of scientists has concluded that “highly protected” marine reserves can help mitigate the effects of climate change and suggests that these areas be expanded and better managed throughout the world.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-06/osu-ist060217.php

Grand Canyon at risk as Arizona officials ask Trump to end uranium mining ban
Powerful regional officials to ask administration to end 20-year ban, saying it is unlawful and inhibits economic opportunity
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/05/public-lands-uranium-mining-arizona-grand-canyon

#50MillionTrees: How young people are fighting deforestation in Tanzania.
Kennedy Daima Mmari The Guardian
Wildlife and farming are under threat, so we’ve started a campaign to get everyone in the country to plant a tree and save their environment
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/t/2460133000468972380

Brenda the Civil Disobedience Penguin on World Environment Day
First Dog on the Moon
It’s been a tough year for the environment, but is it all doom and gloom?
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/05/brenda-the-civil-disobedience-penguin-on-world-environment-day